Contributions fromThe Museum of History and Technology:Paper 47
Presentation PiecesIn the Museum of History and TechnologyMargaret Brown Klapthor
18TH-CENTURY PIECES 8419TH-CENTURY PIECES 8520TH-CENTURY PIECES 99
81
Figure I.
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Miniature shii' presented to Adm. Ruben E. Peary by ilie RoyalScottish Geographical Society. Loan of Robert E. Peary. In Division ofNaval History. (Ace. 52878, cat. 12185; Smithsonian photo 45992.)
h/largaret Brown KlapthorjPresentation TPieces
III the Museum of History and Technology
As a social document, the collection of prcsentiition pieces,mostly silver, in the United States National Museutn providesevidence of the taste and craftsmanship in America at variousperiods from the mid-18th century to the 1910' s.Although the representative items selected for illustration con-firm the view that such pieces often lack artistic merit, thecollection nevertheless reveals the deeds?in tvar, politics, tech-nology, diplomacy, sports?that our forebears deemed worthy ofspecial recognition. And it helps to bring alive some figuresnow submerged in our ever-expanding history.The author: Margaret Brown Klapthor is associate curatorof political history in the Smithsonian Institution s Museum ojHistory and Technolog)'
.
THE CUSTOM OF GIVING A PIECE OF SILVER tOan individual in recognition of service or in ap-preciation of accomplishment probably began assoon as man developed the fashioning of that metalinto objects. Such a presentation piece was a tan-gible and durable form of recognition which couldbe appreciated, used, displayed, and enjoyed by therecipient. Many of these silver pieces became forsucceeding generations the cherished evidence of rec-ognition accorded to an ancestor, and they were pre-served long after the more customary family silverhad worn out or been lost.The Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Historyand Technology has what may well be the mostvaried and extensive collection of such presentationpieces ever to be preserved and exhibited in one place.The collection contains the work of some of the moreprominent American silversmiths, but most of thepieces are by lesser known makers and are in the col-
lection because of historic interest rather than artisticmerit. The chief usefulness of the collection lies inits value as a social document and in the mute evidenceit gives of the taste and craftsmanship of the periodscovered. The collection is also helpful in dating typespecimens that do not have specific associations withpersons and dates. Perhaps even more interesting thanthe gamut of styles that the collection presents is thepanorama of deeds, events, and persons that our fore-bears considered worthy of recognition. Silver pres-entation pieces were awarded to persons in almostevery walk of life?to military men, to peace-lovingIndians, and to men who achieved success in politicsand agriculture. They were given for sea rescues,for heroic deeds by firemen and school-patrol boys,and for outstanding community and civic work.Within our time they have been given as trophies forexcellence in athletics, automobile racing, and manyother events.
PAPER 4 7 : PRESENTATION PIECES 83
Figure 2.
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Snuffbox inlaid withmother-of-pearl and horn madearound 1769 by William Carlo,who worked in Portsmouth, NewHampshire. The box measures2'^ X 21^ X u inches. Bequest ofArthur Michaels. In Division ofCultural History. (Ace. 162866,cat. 383486; Smithsonian photo36941.)
ISth-Century PiecesSilversmiths have been making presentation piecesfrom the earliest days of our country, but the Smith-sonian Institution has only a few 18th-century piecesin its collection.
Engraved on the flat rim, in addition to the inscription,is a crest at the top and the cherub's head at thebottom. The piece is marked by John Coburn, wholived in Boston from 1725 to 1803. Five traysmatching this one are in the Boston Museum ofFine Arts.-The earliest of these is an inlaid silver snuflfbox(fig. 2) made by William Carlo, who worked inPortsmouth, New Hampshire, about 1763. The ovalbox?evidently a gift to the silversmith's second wife,Lydia Croxford, whom he married in 1768?has in-scribed on its base "The property of Lydia Carlo"and "1769." The cover has an undersurface of horn,and the silver on the outer surface is inlaid withmother-of-pearl and tortoise shell in a filigree pattern.
* * *Many of the earliest pieces of presentation silverwere inade for use in churches, and they were givenby groups as well as by individuals. Representativeof this type is a silver alms plate ' with the followinginscription on the rim:The Gift of the Hon''''^ thomas hancock Esq" to theCHURCH in Brattle Street Boston 1764.The plate is shallow with a slightly domed center.
A silver tankard made by Samuel Minott, whoworked in Boston from about 1765 to 1803, can beaccurately placed by the account of ownershipthoughtfully inscribed on its base by one of its laterowners. The legend reads:Richard Derby to E. S. Hasket Derby 1763John DerbyGeorge Derby 1831Roger Derby 1874The tankard has a tapered, ringed body, an S-shapedhandle with a plain boss at the end, a scroll thumb-piece, a fiat molded drop ornament on the handle,and a domed cover with an acorn finial. On thebody beneath the Derby coat of arms, is mono-grammed "E H D" for Elias Hasket Derby (fig. 3).Elias Hasket Derby achieved wealth and fame as aSalem merchant prince engaged in the China trade.
Bequest of Artliur Michaels (ace. 162866, cat. 383497),Division of Cultural History, USNM. - E. Alfred Jones, The Old Silver of American Churches (NationalSociety of Colonial Dames of America, 1913), pp. 68-69 andpi. 27.84 BULLETIN 24 1: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
Figure 3.
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Mark of Samuel Mixott and monogramof Elias Hasket Derby on silver tankard. Bequest ofArtliur Micliaels. In Division of Cultural History.(Ace. 162866, cat. 383545; Smitfisonian photos44828-D, 44828-F.)
Similar in design to these 18th-century pieces is astanding cup ' or chalice with the inscription:Presented by the Sisters of the New South Church for itscommunion service?^January i, 1815.This cup, with a concave body and a baluster stemwith a scjuare foot, is marked "Moulton" and is inthe style of Ebcnczer Moulton who worked in Bostonbetween 1768 and 1824.19th-century PiecesThe collections of the United States .\ationalMuseum that cover the political, cultural, military,and technological history of America in the 19tiicentury are probably without rival, and the collectionof presentation silver is no exception. The recognitionof military prowess by the presentation of silver objectswas especially popular during this century.FOR SERVICE IN WAR OF 1812Some handsome pieces of silver of the federal stylewere given for service in the War of 1812. His-torically the most important of these is a mammothpunch set (fig. 4) presented to Colonel GeorgeArmistead by the citizens of Baltimore in recognitionof his services in the defense of Fort McHenry againstthe British attack in 1814. The service includes anoval silver tray with a handle on each end, the wholeof which is supported on six winged-claw feet. Thetray is 29 inches long and 22 inches wide.The ball-shaped punch bowl, 12)2 inches in diam-eter, is supported by four eagles mounted on a roundbase. There is a loop handle of silver rope on eachside. The bowl is an exact copy in size and design ofthe mortar botubs the British hurled at the fort. Onone side of the bowl is the following inscription
:
Presented by a number of the citizens of Baltimore to Lieu-tenant Colonel George Armistead for his gallant and suc-cessful defense of Fort McHenry during the bombardmentby a large British Force, on the 12th and 13th September
1 8 1 4 when upwards of 1 500 shells were thrown ; 400 of whichfell within the area of the Fort and some of them of thediameter of this vase.(Note the discrepancy in the dates of the inscription.The Battle of Fort McHenry was fought on the 13thand 14th of September 1814.)On the other side is engraved a view of Fort McHenry
3 Bequest of Arthur Michaels (ace. 162866, cat. 383549),Division of Cultural History, USNM.
PAPER 4 7 : PRESENTATION PIECES 85
Figure 4.
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Punch set presented to Col. George Armistead by the citizens of Baltimore inrecognition of his services in the defense of Fort McHenry against the British in 1814. Gift ofAlexander Gordon, Jr., great-grandson of the recipient. In Division of Political History.(Ace. 6642, cats. 30914-17; Smithsonian photo P-64357.)
and Baltimore Harbor. The bowl is marked byThomas Fletcher and Sidney Gardiner, silversmithswho worked in Philadelphia from 1814 to 1838. Inregard to the excellence of the work of these silver-smiths, there is an interesting comment in a diary ofPhilip Hone that is owned by the New-York HistoricalSociety. On February 14, 1838, Hone wrote:Fletcher and Co. are the artist who made the Clintonvases. Nobody in this "world" of ours hereabouts can com-pete with them in their kind of work.''
' H. Maxson Hollowav, "American Presentation Silver,"New-York Historical Society Quarterly (October 1946), vol. 30. p.228.
In the set are ten silver cups, each 3?^ inches highand 3 inches in diameter. The cups have the samerounded shape as the bowl, without the loop handles,and are marked on the bottom by Andrew E. Warner,a silversmith who was working in Baltimore from1805 until his death in 1870.The ladle, in the same shape as the cups, is alsomarked by Warner.During the defense of Fort McHenry ColonelArmistead had under him about 1,000 men, includingsoldiers, sailors, and volunteers. It is said he wasthe only man aware of the alarming fact that thepowder magazine was not bombproof. During thenight of Septernber 13 the fort was under constant86 BULLETIN 24 1: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
bombardment by the enemy, but the attack failed.Discouraged by the loss of the British general in landaction, and finding that the shallow water and sunkenships prevented a close approach to the city Ijywater, the British fleet withdrew. Fort McHenr\was but little damaged and loss of life was small.
Closely related to this punch set is a covered tureen(fig. 5) that the citizens of Baltimore gave to Com-modore John Rodgers, U.S.N., for his part in thedefense of Baltimore in September 1814. During thebattle of North Point and the attack on Fort McHenry,the naval forces under Commodore Rodgers defendedthe water battery, the au.xiliary forts Covington andBabcock, and the barges of the naval flotilla.The oval-shaped tureen is mounted on a square ba.sethat stands on four winged feet. The piece is 1
5
inches high. The handles at each end are supportedby eagles' heads. .Xn applied design of Using horses
Figure 6.
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Gold snuffbox presented to Maj.Gen. Jacob Brown by the City of New York inrecognition of his services in the War of 1812.Gift of Mrs. Susan Brown Chase. In Divisionof Political History. (Ace. 1 16682, cat. 37664;Smithsonian photo 57009.)
Figure 5.
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Tureen presented to Com.John Rodgers by the citizens ofBaltimore for his part in the defense ofthe city against the British in 181 4.Bequest of Gen. M. C. Meigs. InDivision of Political History. (.\cc.25386, cat. 5863; Smithsonian photoP-64357-A.) \
PAPER 4 7 : PRESENTATION PIECES 87
Figure 7.
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Peace pipe presented to the Delaware Indians by Gen. William Henry Harrison in 1814. Bequestof Victor J. Evans. In Bureau of American Ethnology. (Ace. 1 13604, cat. 362061; Smithsonian photos44571. 4457 1-A-)
and winged cherub heads makes an attractive borderaround the edge of the tureen. The knob on thecover of the tureen is a stylized bunch of grapes.On the inside of the bottom of the base is inscribed
:
Presented by the citizens of Baltimore to Commodore JohnRodgers in testimony of their sense of the important aidaflforded by him in the defense of Baltimore on the 12thand 13th of Sept'', 1814.This piece too bears the mark of Philadelphia silver-siniths Fletcher and Gardiner.* * *The gold snuffbox presented to Major GeneralJacob Brown by the City of New York in recognitionof his services in the War of 1812 does not fall strictlywithin the province of this article, but it is includedbecause it is similar to the silver pieces just described.The exterior of the box (fig. 6) is beautifully chased
in a line design. The inside of the lid is inscribed asfollows
:
The Corporation of the City of New York to Major GeneralJacob Brown in testimony of the high sense they entertain ofhis valor and skill in defeating the British forces superior innumber, at the battles of Chippewa and Bridgewater on the5di and 25th of July, 181 4.FOR PEACE AND FRIENDSHIPUnusual in the Museum's collection of presentationsilver is the treaty pipe (fig. 7) formally presented tothe Delaware Indians in 1814 by General WilliamHenry Harrison at the conclusion of the second Treatyof Greenville.The treaty w^as intended to commit the Indians toactive resistance in the American cause during theWar of 1812. General Harrison and Lewis Cass hadBULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
been appointed commissioners by the U.S. Govern-ment to conclude the treaty. On July 8, 1814,General Harrison read to the Indians a message fromthe President of the United States, and afterward hepresented to the Wyandotte, Delaware, and ShawneeIndian tribes large silver pipes elegantly ornamentedand engraved with emblems signifying the protectionand friendship of the United States.^The pipe presented to the Delaware Indians has anurn-shaped bowl with a bead-edged cover bearingacanthus-leaf decorations. The S-shaped stem is 21inches long and only one-fourth inch in diameter.The great length of the stem was necessary to coolthe smoke; the S-shape added rigidity to the silver.The piece undoubtedly is the work of a competentcraftsman but it bears no identifying mark."* * *Although not exactly a pipe of peace, another pipein the collections of the Museum represents a gestureof friendship between nations. It is a meerschaumpipe " with a silver lid on the bowl and with a silvermouthpiece. The lid bears this inscription:This pipe was presented to Sir Frederick Hankey by cheGrand Vizier of Turkey at Constantinople in the year 1830and to Thomas Hankey Esq" by the Daughter of SirFrederick and by him to Charles Alexander Esq'" 9thMarch, 1873.The only information that has been obtained aboutHankey is that he held an official position as ChiefSecretary of Malta for the British Government.FOR POLITICSIn 1838 the Whig Young Men of New York Citypresented to Robert Charles Wetmore a ]5air of large,ornate, silver pitchers ^ inscribed
:
To Robert Charles Wetmore their late Chairman from theGeneral Committee of Whig Young Men of the City ofNew York a Memorial of political fellowship, a token ofpersonal esteem and a tribute of patriotic service 1838.The bases of the pitchers are engraved:
5 "The Journal of the Proceedings of the CommissionersPlenipotentiary, Appointed on Behalf of the United States toTreat with the Northwestern Tribes of Indians," AmericanState Papers . . . Indian Affairs, vol. 1 , pp. 826-836.
* G. Carroll Lindsay, "The Treaty Pipe of the Delawares,"Antiques (1958), vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 44-45.
' Gift of Thomsen H. .Alexander (ace. 63880, cat. 22995),Division of Political History, USNM.8 Bequest of Amy Wetmore May (ace. 190331, cat. 387945),Di\-ision of Political History, USNNL
Presented to Chas Fredk Wetmore by his father, January ist,1840.These pitchers were made by Geradus Boycc, a NewYork silversmith who worked in the first half of the19th century.FOR SERVICE IN THE MEXICAN,CIVIL, AND INDIAN WARSMost of these pieces, like the pitchers mentionedabove, are not so pleasing aesthetically as the earlierones, and they are much more closely allied with theexuberance of the Victorian era than they are withthe classical lines of the Federal period.* * *A large, elaborate vase ' with two handles and acover was presented to Major General Silas Casey,U.S.A., in recognition of his services during theMexican War. The vase is inscribed:To Capt. Silas Casey, 2 inf. U.S.A. For his bravery andskill at Contreras, Churubusco and other battles of Mexico;for his gallant leading of the storming party of Regulars atChapultepec where he was severely wounded. The gift ofcitizens of his native town and others, E. Greenwich, RhodeIsland, August 1848.The vase is marked on the bottom with box-enclosedletters "G & H" and "1848." The letters probablyrefer to Gale and Hughes, New York silversmiths, orperhaps to Gale and Hayden, who were in businessabout the same time.Casey, a graduate of the U..S. Military Academy,received votes of thanks from the Rhode Islandlegislature for his services in both the Mexican andCivil Wars. * * *Lieutenant Colonel John Bankhead Magruder wasgiven a silver pitcher by his friends in Baltimore for hisMexican War service. The pitcher '" is urn-shaped,has a long, narrow neck, and stands on a tall base.The entire pitcher is elaborate repousse in a design ofroses, sunflowers, and grapes. An arched and turretedcastle is depicted on each side, and on the center frontis the inscription:Presented to Lt. Col. J. Bankhead Magruder by his Balti-more friends as a token of their appreciation of his Meri-torious .Services in the Mexican War, October i6, 1849.
? Gift of Estate of Sophie P. Casey (ace. 171620, cat. 44364),Division of Political History, USNM.
'"Bequest of Henry R. Magruder (ace. 47577, cat. 10793),Division of Political History, USNM.
P.A.PER 47: PRESENTATION PIECES 89
Figure 8.
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Silver service given to Maj. Gen. Jolin Hatcli by the citizens of Oswego, New-York. Gift of Marl: Burckle Hatch. In Division of Political History. (Ace. 59476, cats.16024-16026; Smithsonian photo 38259.)
On the inside of the base are the marks "S. Kirk &Son" and "11 oz."Magruder graduated from the U.S. Military Acad-emy in 1830, and his military career encompassedservice under three flags within a period of 35 years.In the Mexican War he was brevetted major forgallantry at Cerro Gordo and lieutenant colonel forChapultepec, where he was severely wounded. Atthe outbreak of the Civil War, Colonel Magruder, anative of Virginia, entered the Confederate Army andwas soon placed in command of the Department ofTexas, where he served until the close of the war. Hethen entered the army of Maximilian in Mexico asmajor general and was in active service until Maxi-milian's capture and execution. When he returned
to the United States he settled in Houston and diedthere in 1871. * * *A silver service (fig. 8) consisting of four goblets,pitcher, and tray, presented to Brevet Major GeneralJohn Porter Hatch, U.S. Volunteers, is interestingbecause it was given in recognition of services duringthe Mexican War, the Indian expeditions of 1 857-1 859,and the Civil War. The gift is from Hatch's fellowcitizens of Oswego, New York.The silver tray measures 15 by 20 inches and isdecorated with four small waterscapes and a flowerdesign. It is raised on four short scroll feet. Theinscription reads:90 BULLETIN 24 1: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
Figure 9.
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^Silver service presented to Gen. Judson Kilpatrick by the Veterans Association ofConnecticut. Loan of the estate of Mrs. Luisa V. Kilpatriclc. In Division of PoliticalHistory. (Ace. 57292, cats. 15145-15167; Smithsonian photo 28067.)
Genl. John Porter Hatch Presented by Citizens of Oswego,Jany 1863The pitcher (14 inches high and 7 inches in diam-eter) has a design of grapevines and birds. Thespout is in the form of a face, and the handle repre-sents entwined vines. It is inscribed:Presented by citizens of Oswego, N.Y. to their esteemedfellow citizen Genl. John Porter Hatch as a testimonial oftheir appreciation of the gallantry and heroism displayedby him in the service of his country especially on the battlefields of Mexico and in the .Army of the Potomac Jany 1863.
The mark is "Tiffany & Co., 7899, G. & \V., EnglishSterling 925-1000, 550 Broadway N.Y."The four silver goblets are also decorated with grapevines and birds, and they have gilt interiors. Theyare 8 inches high and 3'^ inches in diameter. Eachgoblet has the inscription:Testimonial of the Citizens of Oswego, N.Y. to Genl. JohnP. Hatch, Jan. 1863.Below this inscription each goblet is marked with oneof the following:PAPER 4 7 : PRESENTATION PIECES 91
Mexico 1846-7New Mexico 1857-8-9Shenandoah Valley, May 25, 1862South Mountain, Sep. 14, 1862Each goblet is marked "Tiffany & Co."Hatch graduated from the Academy in 1845 andimmediately saw active service in the Mexican War.He fought not only in General Taylor's campaign innorthern Mexico but also in General Scott's campaignto capture Mexico City. In the years interveningbefore the Civil War he saw active service in Indiancampaigns and took part in a number of scouting expe-ditions. With the outbreak of the Civil War he wasassigned with the Volunteers in the Army of the Poto-mac until he was severely wounded at South Moun-tain, for which action he received the CongressionalMedal of Honor. He spent the rest of the Civil Waron duty behind the lines where he was in commandof various districts in the Department of the Southfollowing Sherman's campaign.* * *The largest and most elaborate set of presentationsilver in the Museum is a complete table service (fig.9) that was given to General Judson Kilpatrick by theVeterans Association of Connecticut on the occasionof his marriage to a Chilean in 1868 while he was serv-ing as U.S. Minister to Chile. The set is engravedwith emblems of the United States, Chile, the U.S.Army, and the U.S. Navy. The monograms on theindividual pieces are in gold of four colors. Morethan any other silver service in the Museum this onemay be said to epitomize the elaborate realism sopopular during the height of the Victorian era.The pieces are marked "Meriden B * Company * "in a circle around a shield surmounted by balancedscales. This mark was used in the second half of the19th century by the Meriden Britannia Company forits high-grade, silverplated hollow-ware made on abase of silver nickel."There are two trays in the set. The smaller trayis shown in figure 9. The larger one measures 22}^inches by 38 inches and is inscribed:The Veteran Soldiers of Connecticut to KilpatrickIt is engraved in gold and sihcr with flags of theUnited States and Chile crossed with bayonets andspears. On one side there is a center medallion in
gold with the monogram "L V K" (for Luisa V.Kilpatrick) in a circle surmounted on a shield ofstars and stripes. Above the monogram there is abanner with three stars and a triangle. On the otherside of the standing piece two eagles in fighting posi-tion are shown in front of a sunburst design. TheUnited States flag can be seen directly behind thevictorious eagle. The motto "Tuebor" is at the topof the sunburst. The entire design is encircled by aring of stars, and there is a shield of stars and stripesat the top. This same design is repeated on all 40pieces.The service contains napkin rings, vegetable dishes,syrup jar, spoon holder, large centerpiece, porcelain-lined pitcher, and other miscellaneous pieces of silverused for table service. The pieces of the tea andcoffee service are mounted on four feet that are fas-tened to the bowl with cattle heads with branchedhorns. Each foot stands on a cloven hoof. The knobof each of the pots is a tiny horse jumping over afour-bar hurdle. * * *One of the most interesting military presentationpieces in the collection is a silver and copper shieldpresented to Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles,U.S. Army, by the officers of the 5th Infantry Regi-ment. General Miles served for many years as colo-nel of the regiinent and led it in a number of notableIndian engagements. Beginning in 1 869 his regimentdefeated the Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche, Sioux, NezPerce, and Bannock Indians, and, in 1 886, after a longand difficult campaign, Miles compelled the surren-der of the Apaches under Geronimo and Natchez.The heart-shaped shield '- is surrounded by a rollededge made of copper which originally had a gold wash.Inscribed on the inside of the rolled edge are the names"New Mexico," "Kansas," "Wyoming," "Montana,"
"Dakota," "Colorado," "Indian Territory," and
"Texas." A profile portrait of General Miles, inrelief, is suspended froin an eagle's beak in the center,and below are the crossed weapons of the U.S. Armyand the Indians surmounted by a peace pipe.The background of the shield is silver with etchedscenes depicting incidents of the career of GeneralMiles in the states named. The scenes depicted areof a buffalo hunt, a covered wagon on the trail, wildhorses with Indian tepees in the background, an Armycouncil of war. General Miles receiving the surrender
" Earl Chapin May, Century of Silver 1847-1947: Connecti-cut Yankees and a Noble Metal (New York: McBride and Co.,1947), pi. 36. 12 Loan of Mrs. Samuel Reber (ace. 87949, cat. 35145),Division of Armed Forces History, USNM.92 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
Figure lo.
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Silver servicepresented to Mrs. AbrahamLincoln when she was FirstLady. Gift of Mr. LincolnIsham. In Division ofPolitical History. (Ace.216335.6-.13; Smithsonianphoto 44851-B.)
of ChiefJoseph of the Ncz Perce Indians, and a peace-ful agricultural scene.The plaque is inscribed as follows:Presented to General Nelson A. Miles, U.S. Army, by theofficers of the fifth U. S. Infantry. As a token of personalesteem and their estimate of his distinguished services inwhich unequaled successes over savages in war wereparalleled by humanity and justice towards the thousands ofIndians whom he took captive and instructed in the Artsof Civilization.The plaque, measuring 18}^ by 23 inches overall, ismarked "Tiffany & Co., 6565. Makers 2, SterlingSilver, 926-1000 and Other Metals, M."General Miles was colonel of the 5th InfantryRegiment for so many years that a modification of hisfamily crest was selected as the crest on the coat ofarms of the regiment. The Miles family crest is anarm in armor grasping an anchor. Arrows for eachIndian campaign in which the regiment took part aresubstituted for the anchor in the regimental crest."TO MARY TODD LINCOLNThe Museum recently receised a silver service (fig.10) that belonged to Mary Todd Lincoln. The service
" Infanlrx (\ol. 2 of The Army Lineage Book), Washington,1953.
consists of a large oval tray, a hot-water urn on a standwith a burner, coflfeepot, teapot, hot-water pot, creampitcher, sugar urn, and waste bowl. All the piecesha\e an overall repousse floral and strapwork pat-tern with the monogram "MTL" on one side and anengraved crest on the other. The crest seems to bean adaptation of the Todd family crest. The piecesare marked with a lion, an anchor, and an old English"G," which are the early marks of the Gorham SilverCompany. It is assumed that this silver service wasa presentation gift to Mrs. Lincoln during the timeshe was First Lady of the White House, as a letterdated July 19, 1876, from her to her son Robert ToddLincoln calls his attention to a silver service in hispossession that was a gift to her from "the Citizens ofNew York."FOR ENGINEERINGBy far the most fanciful of all the mid-1 9th-centurypieces is the silver teakettle and stand (fig. 11) given toGeneral Montgomery C. Meigs by the citizens ofWashington for his work on the Washington Aqueduct.The kettle, 18 inches high, is mounted on a base thatis 8}^ inches square and 3% inches high. The base ismade in the shape of the stone arches of the aqueduct,and the head of George Washington, in profile, isPAPER 4 7 : PRESENTATION PIECES 93
Figure ii.?Teakettle and stand given to Gen.Montgomery C. Meigs in 1853 ^Y ^^^ citizens ofWashington for his work on the Washington Aque-duct. Gift of Gen. M. C. Meigs. In Division ofPolitical History. (Ace. 25386, cat. 5864; Smith-sonian photo 57008.)
depicted on the center front. There is a depressionin the top of the base for holding a small alcohollamp. Four rocks, one on each corner of the base,provide support for the kettle. The kettle's feet, inthe form of fish, rest on the rocks and are fastenedto them with hinges held by a chain and silver pin.The pins can be released so that the kettle can betilted for pouring without moving it from the base.By withdrawing all four pins, the kettle can be com-pletely detached from the base. The body of thekettle is decorated with nautical designs?waves,fish, shells, etc.?and cattails and lily pads. Under the
spout is an anchor entwined witli a fish o\er the initial"M." A belt ornamented with stars encloses thecastellated towers of the Army Engineers symbol withthe letters "U," "S," and "E" on one side of the kettle.On the other side is the inscription:Presented to Captain Montgomery C. Meigs U.S. Engineersby the Corporation of Washington with a Resolution ofThanks approved 12th March 1853 for his Report on theWashington Aqueduct.The handle of the kettle is in the form of a serpent'slail, and the spout is the serpent's open mouth. TheHcl is a nautilus shell on which stands an eagle withraised wings. On one side of the ba;;e is inscribed:Presented gth June 1854 by John W. Maury?Mayor,Joseph Borrows of B'' Aid., A. W. Miller of B'' Com. C.Committee of the Corporation.The piece is marked "M. \V. Gait & Bro.," a firmestablished in Washington in 1802 that has been incontinuous business since that time.Montgomery Cunningham Meigs graduated fromthe U.S. Military Academy in 1836 and was soon as-signed to the Engineer Corps. Thereafter, for aquarter of a century his outstanding talents weredevoted to many important engineering projects. Hisfaxorite was the construction of the Washington Aque-duct, which carried a large part of Washington'swater supply from the Great Falls of the Potomac tothe city. This work, under his direction between 1852and 1860, involved devising ingenious methods of con-trolling the flow and distribution of the water and alsothe design of a monumental bridge across the CabinJohn Branch?a bridge that for 50 years was thelongest masonry arch in the world. At the same timeMeigs was supervising the building of wings and a newdome on the Capitol and an extension on the GeneralPost Office Building.During the Civil War, Meigs served as quarter-master general, and in 1864 he was brevetted majorgeneral. As quartermaster general he supervisedplans for the War Department Building, 1866-1867;the National Museum Building, 1876; and an exten-sion of the Washington Aqueduct, 1876.After his retirement, in 1882, General Meigs becamearchitect of the Pension Office Building. He servedas a regent of the Smithsonian Institution, was a inem-bcr of the American Philosophical Society, and one ofthe earliest members of the National Academy ofSciences.94 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
Figure 12.
?
Gold box presented toCyrus W. Field by the City of NewYork. Loan of Metropolitan Mu-seum of Art. In Division of PoliticalHistory. (Ace. 64761, cat. 26209;
.Smithsonian photo 57010.)
General Meigs himself ga\e the Museum this in-teresting piece of presentation siKer. He also gavethe previously described tureen (fig. 5) that had be-longed to Commodore John Rodgers, who was GeneralMeigs' father-in-law.
* * *Cyrus VV. Field became interested in the idea of acable across the Atlantic between Newfoundland andIreland in 1854. It was not a new idea, and othershorter submarine cables had been successful, but thiswas the first time a transatlantic cable had been pro-moted by a man of Field's business ability and finan-cial standing. Through his efTorts, a governmentalcharter was secured and a company of prorninent NewYorkers was formed to underwrite the venture. Anunsuccessful attempt to lay the cable was made bythe company in 1857. Field tried again in 1858; onthe fourth attempt he was successful and immediatelyacclaimed as the "genius of the age."New York greeted Field with wild rejoicing, and thecity authorities set September 1, 1858, as a day ofcelebration to give him an official public ovation. Thecelebration surpassed anything the city had ever beforewitnessed. Mr. Field and the officers of the cablefleet landed at Castle Garden and received a nationalsalute. From there the procession progressed throitghcrowded and gaily decorated streets to the crowd-filled Crystal Palace, where an address was given onthe history of the cable. Then the mayor of NewYork gave an address honoring Mr. Field and pre-sented him with a gold box stating:
The municipal government of this city instructs me to presentto you a gold box with the arms of the city engraved thereon,in testimony of the fact that to you mainly, under DivineProvidence, the world is indebted for the successful e.\ecutionof the grandest enterprise of our day and generation; and inbehalf of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of theCity of New York I now request your acceptance of thistoken of their approbation.The gold box (fig. 12) presented to Field by theCity of New York is in the collections of the UnitedStates National Museum.'* It measures 4^, inches by3 inches. On the lid and around an engraved repre-sentation of the cable fleet is inscribed:The City of New York to Cyrus VV. FieldThe sides of the box are engraved with vignettesdepicting the landing of the cable, the planning groupat work, science and industry united, and Europeand America united. The bottom is engraved withthe American eagle and the British shield. The insidelid of the box is inscribed:The City of New York to Cyrus W. Field commemoratinghis skill, fortitude and perseverance in originating andcompleting the first enterprise for an ocean telegraph suc-cessfully accomplished Aug. 5, 1858 uniting Europe andAmerica.Significant of the enthusiasm with which Field wasgreeted in 1858 is a silver-mounted tankard, made
"Loan of Metropolitan Museum of Art (ace. 64761, cat.26209), Division of Political History, USNM.PAPER 4 7 : PRESENT.ATION PIECES 95
from the wood of the Charter Oak, that was given tohim in December by the workmen of Central Park.On August 18, seemingly without advance publicity orelaborate preparations, there was a parade on Broad-way of the workmen of Central Park. The processionwas headed by a squad of policemen in full uniform, aband, and a standard bearer with a muslin banner in-scribed "The Central Park People." The menmarched in squads of four, and wore their everydaywork clothes with evergreens stuck in their hats. Eachsquad carried a banner giving the name of its boss-workman. The procession included four-horse teamsdrawing wagons in which rode the workmen of the En-gineers' Department. The parade was composed of1,100 laborers and 800 carts from Central Park and700 laborers and carts from the new Croton Reservoir,makmg a procession three miles long. Since it wasaltogether unexpected it created no little excitementand inquiry.'^The tankard (fig. 13) has a silver spout inscribed:The Oak of this Tankard is a part of the tree in which waspreserved the Charter of the Liberties of the People ofConnecticut during a temporary success of tyranny A.D.1687.There is a silver shield on the left side with the mono-gram "C. VV. F." and a silver shield on the rightinscribed:The men, working in the Central Park Aug"' 17"' 1858Present this tankard to Cyrus W. Field, as an expression oftheir respect, for the untiring labor which on that Dayresulted in proving the practicability of Trans-AtlanticCommunication, by the Electric Telegraph.The knob on the lid is made of silver and is decoratedwith an anchor and a rope in silver. No maker'smark is discernible.While the public adulation was at its peak the cablesuddenly stopped working. Immediately public opin-ion changed and Field was accused of being a fake.He suffered severe business reverses and in 1860 wentinto bankruptcy. The outbreak of the Civil Warprevented any further activity on the cable until 1865.Field engaged the world's largest steamer, the GreatEastern, to make the next attempt. The cable of 1865parted in midocean during the laying operations, butin 1866 experience and technical improvements wonthe fight. The cable was laid and this time it contin-ued to operate.
Again Field was the darling of the American peopleand he was greeted with enthusiasm. Immediatelyon his return to New York in 1866 he sold enoughof his cable stock to enable him early in November towrite to those who had been hurt by his bankruptcyin 1860 and send to each the full amount of hisindebtedness with 7 percent interest. The full amountpaid out reached about $200,000. For this actionGeorge Peabody of New York City gave Field a silverservice.The silver cake basket '^ from this service is in theUnited States National Museum. The shallow basketis on a pedestal with handles on each side. Theinside of the basket is gilded. Inscribed on a plaqueon one side is:George Peabody to Cyrus W. Field in testimony and com-memoration of an act of very high Commercial integrityand honor. New York, 24 Nov. 1866.The inside of the foot of the basket is marked with thelion, anchor, and "G" of the Gorham Silver Company.Field continued to be active in many businessenterprises but the last years of his life were again besetwith severe financial difficulties. He and his wifecelebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1890,and in honor of this occasion their children presentedthem with a silver gilt vase." The vase contains aportion of the first Atlantic cable mounted in the base,a part of the steamship Great Eastern, by which thecable was laid, and the inscribed names of all theField's children and grandchildren. It is marked
"Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver, M."FOR DIPLOMACY AND LEGISLATIONIn January 1861, Dr. Samuel Lilly, physician,politician, and judge, was sent to British India asconsul general from the United States. Dr. Lilly hadbeen elected a representative to the 33d Congress as aWhig, and he served from 1853 to 1855. He alsoserved as a judge of various lower courts in NewJersey. On his appointment as consul general he wasgiven a silver goblet"* 8 inches tall and 4)^ inches indiameter, having an embossed design of fruits, nuts,and flowers. On the goblet is inscribed:
" Isabella Field Judson, ed., Cyrus \V. Field, His Lije andWork (New York, 1896), p. 110.
> 8 Gift of Isabella Field Judson (ace. 116488, cat. 37662),Division of Political History, USNM." Gift of Isabella Field Judson (ace. 32290, cat. 7214),Division of Political History, USNM.
's Gift of William Lilly (ace. 103012, cat. 35780), Division 01Political History, U.SNM.96 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
mwr0\
Figure 13.
?
Silver-moi. mi.ij iankaku picsciucd toCyrus VV. Field by the workmen of Central Park,New York City. Loan of Metropolitan Museum ofArt. In Division of Political History. (Ace. 64761,cat. 26209; Smithsonian photo 45992-H.)A Testimonial of Respect and Esteem Presented to Hon.Samuel Lilly by a few of his Fellow Citizens without distinc-tion of Party; on the eve of his departure for Calcutta asConsul-General to British India January 29. 1861.The inside of the stem is marked with the lion, an-chor, and "G" of the Gorham Silver Company, theword "coin," and the figure "8."When Dr. Lilly left India in 1862 he was given asilver pitcher and a silver tray.'' The pitcher (13inches high and 7}i inches in diameter) has a tall,slender neck with a decided downturn to the pouringlip and a hinged lid with a thistle flower as a knob.The neck is engraved on each side with a design ofgrape leaves and grapes. The bowl of the pitcher haseight panels embossed with scrolls of vines and flowers.Both the tray and the pitcher are marked "Allen andHayes." One side is engraved:To the Hon. Samuel Lilly, ALD.The other side is engraved
:
i? Gift of William Lilly (ace. 103012, cats. 35781-82),Division of Political History, USNM.PAPER 47: PRESENT.\TION PIECES222-412.?CO 7
By tlie .American Merchants in Calcutla July 1862.The silver tray (18 inches in diameter) has a .scroll-leaf and flower design in relief around the edge. Thescroll-leaf design is repeated on the sinface. Tiic trayis inscribed as follows:Presented to the Hon. Samuel Lilly M.D. by the AmericanMerchants Resident in Calcutta as a token of regard andacknowledgment of the creditable manner with which hehas upheld the dignity of the office and executed the dutiesappertaining to the post of Consul-General of the UnitedStates of America in British India, Calcutta, July 4th, 1862.
American interest in European affairs, considerablyincreased by the middle of the century, is also reflectedin the collection. In 1866 the life of the Czar of Russiawas saved from a Nihilist's bullet by the brave actionof one of the serfs who had recently been emancipatedby royal decree. Czar Alexander II was well liked byhis own people and was regarded as an enlightenedruler by the other nations of the West. He was espe-cially respected in the United States because of theopen support he gave to the Union side during theCivil War. His escape from death was a cause forofficial rejoicing in this country, and the Congress ofthe United States passed a resolution of congratulationson the deliverance of the life of the Czar and commis-sioned Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of theNavy, to deliver it to the Czar. Fox set out for Europein one of the newly designed Monitor ships that hadproved so effective in naval fighting during the CivilWar. His Monitor was escorted by other ships of thefleet with a large delegation of naval officers. Theparty was greeted by the Russians with great acclaim,and it was showered with gifts and honors. Many ofthe interesting items given to Fox personally were be-queathed to the United States National Museum by hiswidow, Mrs. V. L. W. Fox (accession 50021, Divisionof Political History). Among these objects are a silvertray (fig. 14), a silver saltcellar in the shape of a chair(fig. 14), and a gold snuffbox.The tray and saltcellar were presented to Fox on theestate of Prince Galitzine, one of the wealthiest mem-bers of the Russian nobility. These two items bearthe marks of a Russian maker and are engraved "July5, 1864," which date marked the coming-of-age ofthe Prince. On August 26, shortly after the Americandelegation arrived in Russia, Fox and his party droveto the beautiful Galitzine estate, about 12 miles fromMoscow. The members of the party were met by thePrince and went with him to a part of the park where97
Figure 14.
?
Tray and saltcellar in shape of chair that were among items presented toGustavus Vasa Fox on his visit to Russia in 1866. The tray measures 24 x 15 x 1)2 inches,and the saltcellar is 3^^ inches high, 4?io inches long, and 2^4 inches wide. They were madeby Sazkoff, St. Petersburg, 1863. Bequest of Mrs. V. L. W. Fox. In Division of PoliticalHistory. (Ace. 50021, cats. 11267, 11263; Smithsonian photos 45602-A, 456oa-H.)
a deputation of peasants awaited them. Leader of thepeasant group was the mayor of the neighboringvillage, an emancipated serf, who presented Fox withbread and salt?traditional symbols of Russian hos-pitality?on a silver salver and said:We wish to tell the envoy that we are come to congratulatehim on his arrival, and to present him with bread and saltand also to say that we love him, and that we shallremember the love of his people for our country and oursovereign.-"Two days later, on August 28, Fox met PrinceGortchakoff by appointment at the foreign office.After various coinplimentary allusions to the mannerin which Mr. Fox had performed the delicate dutiesentrusted to him by his government, the Prince, in thename of the Emperor, presented a gold snuffbox setwith diamonds.^' The box, exquisitely chased, hadthe Emperor's miniature on the top surrounded by 26diamonds. Six larger diamonds were set three oneach side at equal distances from the inner circle.The Emperor was pictured in full military uniformwith various orders on his breast. ^^ The snuffbox2?JoHN D. Champlin, Jr., ed.. Narrative of the Mission toRussia in 1866 of the Hon. Gustavus Vasa Fox from the Journal andNotes of J. F. Loubat (New York, 1873), p. 264." Snuffboxes were given by sovereigns to those who were notallowed to receive decorations. Such boxes were of threegrades: plain gold boxes, boxes set with diamonds, and boxeshaving both diamonds and the sovereign's miniature. Thelattci- were given only to persons of the highest distinction.
^?' Champmn, p. 359.
minus its decorations is part of the Gustavus Vasa Fo.xcollection in the Museum. The precious stoneson the lid and the miniature in the center werebequeathed by Mrs. Fox to various members of thefamily when the box (cat. 11268) was willed to theMuseum. * * *A large and elaborate silver vase was presented bythe members of the U.S. Life-Saving Service to Mrs.Samuel S. Cox in honor of the outstanding work of herhusband, who as a congressman supported various billsfor the improvement of the Service. Mr. Cox servedas Congressman for 20 years, first from Ohio and laterfrom New York State. He died in New York City in1889. Two years later General Superintendent S. LKimball, in behalf of a committee representing theService, presented the vase to Mrs. Cox. The cere-mony took place at Mrs. Cox's home in Washingtonon December 12, 1891, in the presence of a gatheringof relatives and friends.The vase-' is 2 feet tall and 2 feet 1 inch in diameter;it weighs almost 8 pounds. Its design was selected bya subcommittee appointed by the Life-Saving Service,and the job was awarded to the Gorham SilverCompany. The chasing is entirely the work of oneman. The base of the vase has a design of clusters ofacorns and oak leaves, and above these are dolphinssporting in billowing waves. The body of the vase
23 Gift of Elizabeth Hardenburg (ace. 53695, cat. 12782),Division of Political History, USNM.98 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
begins with wide flutings between the tops of whiehare shells and seaweed. These are surrounded by aring of marine cable. On the Iront, a scene representsthe lifesavers at work. In perspective some distanceout, where the sea rises in mountainous waves, thereis a wrecked vessel, and in the foreground lifesa\ersare carrying the rescued to the beach. The ornamen-tation that covers the top of the body of the vaseconsists of a cable net in which are starfish, seaweed,and other marine flora and fauna. A ledge formed bya ship's chain surmounts the net, and above this is aprofile of Mr. Cox circled with laurel. A lifebuoycrossed with a boat hook and oar ornaments the otherside. Handles at the sides are two mermaids who withbowed heads and curved bodies hold in their upraisedhands sea plants growing from the side of the top of thevase. The mermaids are the only portion of theornamentation that was cast.The vase is inscribed as follows:This Memorial Vase is presented to Airs. Samuel S. Coxby the members of The Lije-Saving Service of the United Statesin Grateful Remembrance of the tireless and successfulefforts of her Distinguished husband The Honorable SamuelSullivan Cox to promote the interests and advance the effi-ciency and glory of the Life-Saving Service.He was its early and constant friend; Its earnest and eloquentadvocate; Its fearless and faitliful Champion.I have spent the best part of my life in the public service;most of it has been like writing in water. The reminiscencesof party wrangling and political strife seem to me likenebulae of the past, without form and almost void. Butwhat little I have accomplished in connection with thisLife-Saving Service is compensation "sweeter than thehoney in the honeycomb." It is its own exceeding greatreward.-* * * *Tangible evidence of the increased role that theUnited States was beginning to play in internationalaffairs is a silver pitcher and salver -^ presented toJudge George S. Batcheller in appreciation of his serv-ices as president of the International Postal Congress,which was held in Washington, D.C., in 1897. JudgeBatcheller's international career began when PresidentUlysses Grant appointed him as the U.S. judge in thenewly created International Tribunal for legal admin-istration of Egypt. The Tribunal had jurisdiction in
^' From a speech by Cox delivered in the House of Repre-sentatives, April 24, 1888.25 Gift of Katherine Batcheller (ace. 112477, cat 36871),Division of Political History, USNM.
cases between foreigners of different nationalities andalso in cases of foreigners versus Egyptians. Batchellerlater served as minister to Portugal arid then as mana-ger of European interests for various American com-panies.The International Postal Congixss presented JudgeBatcheller, its presiding officer, with a handsome urn-shaped pitcher with the following inscription engravedon the center front:Le Congres postal de Washington a son President le GeneralGeorge S. Batcheller Juin 1897.The pitcher, 14'^ inches high, is marked inside the base
"Gait & Bros., Sterling, 925 - - 1879, 277, 1% pts."The "925" is circled, and the date is boxed. Accom-panying the pitcher is a silver tray with the monogram"G S B" in script in the center. The tray is markedon the back with an eagle in a circle to the left, an "A"in a shield in the center, and a hammer and sickle ina circle to the right (an unidentified mark).
20th-century PiecesFOR SERVICE IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAROne of the most controversial figures of the Spanish-American War is represented in the Museum'scollection by some of the silver that was presented toRear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley.^" Schley becamea national hero primarily because of his genial per-sonality, and he was acclaimed and supported bythe masses of the American public even while hisclaims to fame were being challenged by his colleagues.Admiral Schley had already had a long and illus-trious naval career before the outbreak of the warwith Spain. After his graduation from the NavalAcademy in 1860, he served on board the frigateNiagara when it was detailed to bring to the UnitedStates the first representatives from Japan to thiscountry. As a junior naval officer he took part inthe Civil War engagements leading up to the captureof Port Hudson. Then follow^ed a period with seaduty and alternate posts ashore at the Naval Acad-emy and elsewhere. During this period he took partin the capture of some Korean forts in 1871, andlater he commanded the relief expedition that rescuedthe Arctic explorer Lieutenant Adolphus \\'. Greeleyand six of his companions near Cape Sabine, when they
=? Collection gift of Mrs. R. S. VVortley (ace. 136891),Division of Naval History, UNSM.PAPER 4 7 : PRESENTATION PIECES 99
were near death, and brought them safely home aftera perilous voyage through 1,400 miles of ice.The controversial period of Schley's career beganwith his appointment to command the FlyingSquadron, stationed at Hampton Roads at theopening of the Spanish-American \Var, with thearrangement that should his squadron operate withthe Atlantic Squadron in the West Indies, he wouldbe under its senior officer, William T. Sampson.Since Sampson was junior to Schley in rank, this ledto the famous Sampson-Schley controversy of the war.Despite his orders to blockade Santiago immediately,Schley took his time getting there with his squadron,and then he failed to establish a close blockade.During the month-long blockade in which the twosquadrons were joined, matters were strained betweenthe coiTimands. Sampson was in conference aboutseven miles east of Santiago when the Spanish fleetfinally emerged from the harbor. Schley immediatelyseized full command of the battle despite Sampson'sproximity and his prompt return to action.The press, probably influenced by his likablepersonality, made a hero of Schley, but his fellownaval officers felt differently. A court of inquiry heldin 1901 found Schley to be at fault, but despite thisdecision he retained his public popularity, a tributeto his affability and bluff, hearty manner.The many pieces in the Museum's collection ofpresentation silver given to Schley not only attest therecipient's popularity but seem to express the poortaste, debased design, and stereotyped workmanshipthat was characteristic at the beginning of the 20thcentury.Not just one presentation piece but an entire silverservice was made from Spanish coins recovered fromthe Cristobal Colon that was sunk at Santiago. Theoriginal service consisted of 69 pieces, of which theMuseum has the table centerpiece, soup tureen andladle, fish platter, and a vegetable dish (cat. 39554).The centerpiece, measuring 14 by 30 by 8 inches, isdesigned with a circular base holding four classicalfemale figures. On each side of the base is a shallowsilver dish shaped like a seashell and supported bydolphins. A shield on one side of the base bears thefollowing inscription
:
This service made of Spanish coins recovered from theCristobal Colon sunk in the battle off Santiago de CubaJuly 3, 1898 is presented to Rear Admiral Winficld ScottSchley by his friends in loving appreciation of his heroicservices to his country.An eagle ornaments the opposite side of the base.
The covered oval soup tureen (7 inches by 13,'^inches; cat. 39555) bears the same inscription as thecenterpiece and is marked "S. Kirk & Son Co." Thecov-er, monogrammcd "W S S," has a rather effectivedesign of overlapped laurel leaves with clusters ofberries. The ladle (14 inches long; cat. 39556) ismonogrammed "W S S" on the bowl (4 inches indiameter), and it has the same design as the tureen.The fish platter (25 inches by 13 inches; cat. 39557)is similar to the tureen in design. The oval vegetabledish (11 inches by 15}^ inches; cat. 39558) is alsosimilar and is inscribed the same way, including themark of "S. Kirk & Son Co."An elaborate silver centerpiece given to AdmiralSchley in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1902 consists of abowl, vase, and candelabra made to be fitted intoone unit (fig. 15). The large bowl (20 inches by 6inches) is chased in marine designs and bears thefollowing inscriptions:Presented to Winfield Scolt Schley, .Admiral U. S. N. inrecognition of his services in destroying the Spanish I'leeioff Santiago de Cuba, July 3, 1898.Twenty-thousand American citizens join in honoring valor,fidelity to duty and a lofty generosity that e.xemplified thesublimest manhood. Memphis, Tennessee, April 28, 1902.There is glory enough for All.The silver vase (32 inches high) is made to fit intothe bowl, and it has a portrait of Admiral Schley onone side and a picture of his flagship, the Brooklyn, onthe other. Each end of the bowl is fitted with asocket to hold a three-branch silver candelabra, andthere are two solid blocks of silver for insertion in thesockets when the candelabra are not being used.These pieces are marked "Sterling" but no maker'smark is visible.A silver card (cat. 39518), measuring 3)^ inches bySyi inches, that was presented to Schley at a dinnergiven in his honor is engraved as follows:Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, U. S. N. The Com-mercial club of Kansas City, Mo., November 19, 1902.The turn of the century marks the beginning of thepopularity of loving cups as presentation pieces.There are four loving cups in the Admiral Schleycollection.The earliest of these cups bears the followinginscription:Presented to Rear Admiral \V. S. Schley by the citizens ofAtlanta Georgia, November 4, 1899.This cup (cat. 39571), 9 inches in diameter and HJj100 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
Figure 15.
?
Centerpiece given to Adm. VVinfield Scott Schley in Memphis, Tennessee, forhis services in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Part of the Schley collection, gift ofMrs. R. S. Wortley. In Division of Naval History. (Ace. 136891, cat. 39548; Smith-sonian photo 45992-G.)
inches in depth, is shaped like a vase and is decoratedwith a scroll design. Each of its three handles isattached to the cup with two applied silver oakleaves. The piece is marked "Maier & Berkley,Atlanta, Georgia, Sterling, 385,16."Another silver cup with three handles was presentedto Schley on February 5, 1902, by the Chamber ofCommerce and the citizens of Knoxville, Tennessee,in recognition of his services during the Spanish-American War. This cup (cat. 39573) has the markof the Gorham Silver Company and the words
"Sterling, A 2219, 6 pints."'The silver loving cup given to Admiral Schley by theCity of Dallas reflects the exuberance of the Texasdonors as well as the taste of the turn of the century,[t bears the following inscription:Presented to VVinfield Scott Schley, Rear .'\dmiral, U. S. N.A token of the .?Affectionate Regard and Grateful Apprecia-tion of the City of Dallas, Texas, For His Illustrious .?Achieve-ments in the Service of our Country, October 20, 1902.This cup (cat. 39572) measures 8 inches in diameterand 21 inches in depth. The three handles terminatein eagles' heads. The design pictures a battleship in
gold identified as the "U.S.S. Oregon," a head andlaurel wreath with the words "U.S.S. Brooklyn," andan eagle and a star in a wreath for the "U.S.S. Texas."The base of the cup is decorated with three Texaslonghorns with an anchor and shield. It bears themarks of the Gorham Silver Company.The fourth loving cup (cat. 39538) is made ofvanadium steel rather than of silver. This too is athree-handled cup. It measures 7 inches in diameterand 12)^ inches in depth and is decorated with theemblem of the Masonic Order of the Mystic Shrineand the following inscriptions:Presented to Noble Winfield Scott Schley by Syria Temple,A. A. O. N. M. S. November 20, igog.S)riaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania* * *The war with Spain is further commemorated by asilver loving cup -" presented to Rear Admiral Charles
2' Gift of Nellie G. Gunther (ace. 84594, cat. 35647), Divisionof Naval History, USN^f.PAPER 47: PRESENTATION PIECES 101
D. Sigsbee, U.S.N. Sigsbee, commissioned captain in1897, was in command of the battleship Maine whenshe blew up in Havana harbor in 1898. A navalcourt of inquiry exonerated Sigsbee, his officers, andcrew from all blame for the disaster; and the temperatejudicious dispatches from Sigsbee at the time did muchto temper the popular demand for immediate reprisal.The cup bears the following inscription:The Commercial Club of St. Paul Minn. Sends Greetings toCapt. Charles Dwight Sigsbee who as Commander of theAuxiliary Cruiser St. Paul had a brilliant share in the NavalExploits of the Spanish War of 1 898.May you live long and prosper.Marks on the cup are those of the Gorham SilverCompany and the words "Sterling," "Patented," and" 5 pts."Admiral Sigsbee achieved greater distinction for hisservices as a scientist than as a naval hero. An out-standing hydrographer, he made a deep-sea survey ofthe Gulf of Mexico, and from 1893 to 1897 he waschief of the Navy's hydrographic office.FOR ARCTIC EXPLORATIONIn the midst of the myriad of soldiers, sailors, andpoliticians who have been presented with silverthrough the past two centuries, we find an arcticexplorer being given similar recognition at the begin-ning of this century. Rear Admiral Robert E. Pearywas the first man to reach the North Pole, and theUnited States National Museum has a collection ofsilver presented to him in recognition of this achieve-ment.Peary became interested in arctic exploration asearly as 1886 and discovered he had an aptitude for itsgrueling demands on several minor expeditions toGreenland and the arctic ice cap. In 1893 he becamedetermined to reach the North Pole, and he spent thenext 15 years in unsuccessful attempts to achieve hisambition. In 1908 Peary left on another polarexpedition; after a hazardous trip, he reached hisgoal on April 6, 1909. His victory seemed a hollowone because of the claim of a rival explorer that wasfinally proven spurious. In October a committee ofexperts appointed by the National Geographic Societysupported Peary's claims, and in 1911 he was tenderedthe thanks of Congress. Admiral Peary's work as anexplorer had immense scientific value, as he developeda highly efficient method of exploration which hascontinued to be used advantageously.
Three loving cups and a replica of a ship in silver^*that were presented to Peary are in the collections ofthe United States National Museum. Two of thecups were gifts to Peary from cities in his home stateof Maine. One loving cup (cat. 12186), 10 incheshigh, is marked with the old English "T" of Tiffany& Company, "7072," and "5 pts." It is inscribed:To Commodore Robert Edwin Peary, U. S. N. in recogni-tion of his remarkable achievement in placing the flag of theUnited States at the North Pole, April 6, 1909. PresentedSeptember 23, igog by the City of Bangor, Me.The other loving cup from Maine (cat. 12187) is 12inches deep and bears the Tiffany "T," "7056,"
"Sterling," and "5% pts." The inscription reads:Presented by the citizens of Portland, and South Portland,Maine, To Commodore Robert Edwin Peary, U. S. N.September 23, igog in recognition of his achievement innailing the stars and stripes to the North Pole.The third loving cup (cat. 12188) is 18 inches highand is marked with the lion, anchor, and "G" of theGorham Silver Company and with "Sterling,"
"332A," "7 pints," and "D. Kappa Epsilon." Theinscription reads:Presented to Commodore Robert Edwin Peary, U. S. N. bythe Delta Kappa Epsilon Association of New York City,December 18, 1909.In 1910 the Royal Scottish Geographic Society pre-sented Admiral Peary with a silver replica of a ship(fig. 1) of the type used by Henry Hudson, JohnDavis, and William Baffin in their explorations forthe Northwest Passage. The replica, representing aship under full sail, is 24 inches high and 20 incheslong. The foresail bears a long inscription in Latinlikening Peary to other early arctic explorers. Themarks indicate the piece was made in Great Britain.Also in the Museum's collection is a silver plaque ^'presented to Peary by the Circumnavigator's Club inNew York. It bears the mark of Tiffany & Companyand is inscribed:Circumnavigator's Club Presented to the Immortal Naviga-tor Peary on the Occasion of his presence as guest of honorat our Annual dinner held at Delmonico's New York City,the Eleventh of December, 1913. Officers: President W.Tyre Stevens, ist V. P. Wilson D. Lyon, and V. P. W. D.Oelbermann, Treasurer, F. C. Schulze, Sec. F. W. Hilgar,Gov. E. H. Paterson, J. H. Burch Jr., George L. Carlisle,W. G. Paschoff, C. A. Haslett, William H. Zinn.
28 Loan of Robert E. Peary (ace. 52878), Division of NavalHistory, USNM.29 Loan of Mrs. Robert E. Peary (ace. 177710, cat. 46014),Division of Naval History, USNM.102 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
f'HorTHma is rwhv firwEEN tuiENoe"
Figure i6.?Cup presented to the Honorable BrandVVhitlock by the British Government. Gift of Mrs.Brand Whitlock. In Division of Political History.(Ace. 1 378 1 5, cat. 40028; Smithsonian photo45992-E.)The bottom edge of the plaque is engraved "TifTany& Co. Makers" and "18417 Sterling Silver."FOR SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR IOf all the silver pieces in the collections of theNational Museum that commemorate military prow-ess, the sole piece relating to World War I was pre-sented to a man who achieved fame for his humani-tarian service as a diplomat?the Honorable BrandWhitlock, who was appointed American Minister toBelgium in 1913. Whitlock came to the position witha distinguished record as four-time mayor of Toledo,Ohio, where his administration was noted for its re-forms. He had insisted on a fair deal for the workingman; he liberalized the administration of justice; hekept the city government free of graft; and he won abattle against the power of vested interests in the city.After the invasion of Belgium in World War I,Whitlock remained at his post where he performedmany services for the oppressed citizens. His presencein Brus.sels facilitated for both friend and foe the enor-mous task of organizing the distribution of food amongthe civilian population of Belgium and the occupiedzone of France. In 1916 he chose to follow theBelgian Government into exile. His activities wonhim the lifelong affection and admiration of thepeople of Belgium, and after the war they showeredhim with evidences of their esteem. Among the manypresentation medals, documents, and miscellaneous
Figure 17.
?
Paperweight idciuical tothose presented by William JenningsBryan to 30 diplomats who signed withhim treaties for the investigation of allinternational disputes. Gift of WilliamJennings Bryan. In Division of PoliticalHistory. (.^cc. 57778, cat. 15307;
.Smithsonian photo 45992-0.)
gifts that he received is a silver loving cup (fig. 16)from the British Government. On one side the cupbears the British coat of arms, and on the other sideis inscribed
:
Presented to Brand Whitlock by his Britannic Majesty'sGovernment, 11 November 1918.The base is marked "C & Co.," "130 Regent St.,Carrington and Co., London W," and "Copy of An-tique Irish 1717, 66 x 13, P 6610, .xy P d."A presentation piece made of polished steel is reallyoutside the scope of this paper, but as it has aninteresting bit of diplomatic history connected withit, it has been included in the catalogue. The objectis a paperweight (fig. 17) designed by WilliamJennings Bryan when he was Secretary of State. Theweight, in the form of a plowshare, was made fromswords condemned by the War Department. Thirtyof these weights were given by Secretary Bryan to thediplomats who in 1914 signed with him treaties pro-viding for the investigation of all international dis-putes. The shaft of the plow bears the inscription
:
"Nothing is final between friends"
"Diplomacy is the art of keeping cool"The blade is inscribed
"They shall beat their swords into plowshares"Isaiah 2: 4PAPER 47: PRESENTATION PIECES 103
On the base is engraved:
"From William Jennings Bryan to the Smithsonian Institu-tion, August 13, 1914"TO MR. AND MRS. ROBERT TODD LINCOLNAmong the pieces of presentation sih'er acquired in1960 by the Smithsonian Institution is a covered urnthat was given to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Todd Lincolnby their children on the occasion of their 50th weddinganniversary.^" Robert Todd Lincoln, son of thePresident, became a prominent lawyer in Chicago andlater served as president of the Pullman Company, asSecretary of War in the cabinets of President Garfieldand President Arthur, and as Minister to Great Britainunder President Benjamin Harrison. The silver gilturn has two handles, measures 13 inches from the baseto the finial on the cover, and 7 inches at its widestpoint. Bands of ornamentation feature both thegrape design and the acorn and oak-leaf design. Itis inscribed:Robert Todd Lincoln-Mary Harlan 1868? igi8The gilt wash, although almost completely polishedoflf the outside surface, still co\crs the inside of theurn and its lid.TO CONGRESSMENA silver tureen and tray^' were given to the Honor-able James R. Mann, Republican leader of theHouse of Representatives, by the members of theHouse in 1919. Mann was elected a Representativefrom Illinois in 1897, and he remained a memberof Congress until his death in 1922. In 1912 hebecame minority leader. In addition to the MannAct, his name is associated with other importantlegislation of the period such as the Pure Food andDrugs Act and the Woman Suffrage Amendment.The tray, which holds the tureen, is inscribed
:
James R. Mann Republican Leader from House Membersof the 65th Congress, March 3rd, 1919.It is marked on the back with "W. Sterling, 4086-16 in." The initial represents the Wallace SilverCompany.The oval tureen is on a pedestal base. There is ascroll design around the edge of the base, the edge of
r^t
'
-^p...
SO^TH ^'p.THD1^00
Figure 18.?C;up given to Susan B. Anthony by theColorado Equal SuflFrage Association. Gift ofNational American Woman Suffrage Association.In Division of Political History. (Ace. 64601, cat.26163; Smithsonian photo 459g2-J.)
the bowl, and the opening of the jjowl. The piecemeasures 14 inches from handle to handle, is 10inches high, and has the initials "J R M" in old-English letters engra\'ed on the side.
In the Museum's collection is a loving cup ofChinese design that was presented by the Chamberof Commerce, Peking, China, to a party of AmericanCongressmen on a tour of China and Japan in 1920.'-The height of the cup is 17% inches, and its width,including the two large handles, is IS^ie inches. Thepiece is mounted on a papier-mache base that iscovered with silk. The engraved Chinese characterstranslate as follows
:
Commemorating the welcome of Congressmen from GreatAmerica traveling in ChinaRespectfully presented by members of the Chinese DietMay the spring of your well-being be as vast as tiie ocean.
30 Gift of Lincoln Ishnni (ace. 227132.1), Division of PoliticalHistory, USNM.31 Gift of Mrs. James R. Mann (ace. 70676, cats. 34113-14),Division of Political History, USNM. 3- The cup (ace. 66168, cat. 30852) was deposited in theUnited States National Museum (Division of Political History)by the Honorable John. H. Small, who was chairman of thegroup of traveling Congressmen.104 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
TO SUFFRAGETTESAmong the significant social changes that occurred inthe 19th century was the movement for woman suf-frage that began about the middle of the century as aconcerted action by a nucleus of determined women.The crusade gained strength and numbers duringthe second half of the century, and finally achievedsuccess with the ratification of the Suffrage Amend-ment in 1920. Many women worked in this cause,and the pieces of presentation silver in the NationalMuseum's Woman Suffrage Collection constitute arecord of the most important leaders.Chief spokesman of the movement and its leaderfor many years was Elizabeth Cady Stanton of NewYork State. She was instrumental in calling thefirst Woman's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls,New York, in 1848, and she served as president ofthe National Woman Suffrage Association from itsbeginning in 1869 and as president of the NationalAmerican Woman Suffrage Association froin 1890 to1891. She continued to be an active worker in themovement until her death in 1902, writing andediting many works on suffrage in addition to heradministrative work.On the occasion of her 80th birthday in 1895, Mrs.Stanton was presented with a silver tray ^^ (8 incheswide and 1^2 inches deep) that is inscribed:From the Ladies of Seneca Falls, 1 848-1 895.This tray, presented at a meeting at the MetropolitanOpera House in New York City, bears on the back a"W" in a circle, a two-headed lion in a rectangle(probably an early mark of the Wallace Silver Com-pany), the word "Sterling," and the number "2048."On the same occasion Mrs. Stanton was presenteda silver loving cup'^ that is inscribed:
1 81 5-1 895 Presented to Elizabeth Cady Stanton by theNew York City Woman Suffrage League, November 12,1895. Defeated day by day but unto victory born.The cup, 4}i inches in diameter and 7% inches deep,is marked on the bottom with the Wallace "W," simi-lar to the mark on the tray, and "Sterling, 3798, 4^2pints, 925/100 fine, Pat 1892."
The life story of Susan B, .'\nthony is a record of 60years of devotion and work for the enfranchisement ofwomen. An organizer and director of countless suf-frage activities, she was tireless in conducting cam-paigns for woman suffrage. She is the one individualwho has become so identified with the fight for womansuffrage that, more than any other, her name hasbecome synonymous with that term. During her life-time she worked in almost every capacity in the or-ganized movement. She became president of theNational American Woman Suffrage Association in1892 and served until her 80th birthday in 1900. Onthat occasion the Colorado Equal Suffrage Associationpresented her with a miniature, three-handled lovingcup that stands only 3% inches high (fig. 18). In onesection of the cup there is engraved the word "Colora-do" and the state's coat of arms; in an adjoiningsection is an engraving of the state flower; and in thethird section is the following in.scription:Colorado Equal Suffrage Association to .Susan B. Anthonyon her 8oth Birthday igoo.The cup is marked on the bottom "Sterling, 590,
.\. J. Stark & Co., Denver."She was also given a silver-plated teakettle '^ by thePolitical Equality Club of Rochester, New York. Thestand is 3^2 inches high, and the teapot is 5)4 incheshigh. Engraved around the top of the teapot is:Susan B. Anthony 1820-1893.The stand is marked "Mfd. & Plated Reed & Barton"and "65." * * *The chosen leader of the Woman Suffrage Move-ment after 1900 was Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, avigorous organizer and campaigner who led the drivefor the constitutional amendment that was finallyratified in 1920. Mrs. Catt founded the InternationalWoinan Suffrage Alliance in 1902 and served as itspresident until 1923. Her late years were devotedto the cause of international peace and disarmament.Mrs. Catt was the prime mover in calling the firstinternational conference on suffrage, which, in 1902,welcomed representatives from nine foreign nations
?
Great Britain, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark,Turkey, Russia, Australia, and Chile. The delegates
" Gift of Harriot Stanton Blatch (ace. 127776, cat. 38762),Division of Political History, USNM.3< Gift of Harriot Stanton Blatch (ace. 127776, cat. 38763),Division of Political History, USNM. 35 Gift of National American Woman Suffrage Association(ace. 64601, cat. 26162), Division of Political History, USNM.PAPER 47:222-412- PRESEXT.\TION PIECES 105
were honored guests at the National Suffrage Conven-tion then in session in Washington where they alsoattended two congressional hearings on suffrage andwere received by President Theodore Roosevelt at theWhite House. ^* Mrs. Catt was given a silver tray ^^inscribed
:
To Carrie Chapman Catt from the foreign delegates to theFirst International .Suffrage Conference, Washington, D. C,Feb. 12-18, 1902.The back of the tray is marked "Gait & Bro. Sterling,386." The Gait silver firm is in Washington, D.C.The campaign for the first referendum in the state ofNew York on woman suffrage was considered to bethe most decisive of all the state fights. New Yorkwas divided into 12 campaign districts working underMrs. Catt. The campaign was most vigorously waged,but the referendum was defeated.'^ After the NewYork catnpaign Mrs. Catt received a silver gilt tray ^'inscribed:Honorable Carrie Chapman Catt from Katherine HowardNotmanEleventh Assembly District Campaign Chairman, 191
5
The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shallnot be denied or abridged by the United States or by anystate on account of se.\.The tray is marked on the reverse "Tiffany and Co.,18154, Makers 811, Sterling Silver, 925/1000/M."Mrs. Catt had started the suffrage movement in thePhilippine Islands when she visited there in 1912 andorganized the first suffrage club in Manila. In 1937the Philippine legislature submitted the question of
36 Mary Gray Peck, Carrie Chapman Call (New York: H. \V.Wilson Co., 1944), pp. 121-122.3' Gift of National American Woman Suffrage Association(ace. 147840, cat. 42083), Division of Political History, USNM.38 Peck, op. cit., pp. 220-232.39 Gift of National American Woman Suffrage Association(ace. 147840, cat. 42084), Division of Political History, USNM.
Figure 20.
?
The Vanderbilt Cup, an annual awardfor automobile races in the early 20th century.Gift of William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. In Division ofTransportation. (Ace. 131820, cat. 310894;Smithsonian photo 45992-B.)
votes for women to the women of the Islands them-selves. The campaign committee working out ofManila sent native women campaigners throughoutthe Islands to be sure all races and religions wererepresented in the vote. Mrs. Catt raised money inthis country and sent it to the campaign committeeto help with the fight.*" Over half a million Philip-pine women voted favorably on the question, andseveral months later Mrs. Catt was presented with asilver plaque, mounted on native woods, that is nowin the Museum's collection.*' It is inscribed:
J" Peck, op. cit., pp. 457-458." Gift of National American Woman Suffrage Association(ace. 147840, cat. 42085), Division of Political History, USNM.
Figure 19.
?
Belt given to H. W. Hicham as the winner of a 6-day bicycle race at Glasgow,Scotland. Gift of Mr. H. W. Higham. In Division of Transportation. (Ace. 168449, cat.313867; Smithsonian photo 45992-F.)106 BULLETIN 24 1 : CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
m
',^,^.,"f'-"^ ''.'%,,,,.., :)/,/"/ '"
\
Figure qi.?Trowel used by Presi-dent Ulysses S. Grant in laying thecornerstone of the Museum ofNatural History, New York Cit>-.Gift of Julia Dent Grant and Wil-liam H. Vanderbilt. In Division ofPohtical History. (Ace. 18528,cat. 3004; Smithsonian photo45992-A.)
In grateful acknowledgement of the moral and financial aidgiven by the women of America through Carrie ChapmanCatt to the women of the Philippines through the Inter-national Federation of Women's Clubs in their struggles fortheir political rights culminating in ultimate victory inApril. '937-FOR SPORTS EVENTSThe earliest of the sports trophies in the collectionis an ornate belt (fig. 19) made of blue velvet uponwhich are mounted five engraved silver plates con-nected by silver straps. On the center plate is theinscription:6 Days Bicycle Champion Belt of Scotland Won by H. W.Higham Nottingham igth June 1880 Contested at GlasgowOne of the two adjoining smaller plates has an en-graving of a man riding a high-wheeled bicycle, andthe other has an engraving of a man standing beside asimilar bicycle. The two outer plates are engravedwith Scottish coats of arms. The belt is 34)^ incheslong and 3 inches wide.
Trophies were awarded for competition among thevarious makes of cars almost as early as the advent ofthe automobile itself. The earliest such trophy in theMuseum's collection is a three-handled, cut-glass cup "with a wide silv-er rim on which is engraved:Automobile Club of New Jersey. Eagle Rock Hill ClimbingContest. First Prize Nov. 5, 1901.The prize was won by Charles E. Duryea who drovean automobile of his own manufacture.Most important of the automobile tro|)hies was theVanderbilt Cup (fig. 20) for racing, which was estab-lished by William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., in 1904 to bringthe best cars of foreign make to the United States sothat domestic manufacturers could observe them. Itis believed that the trophy contributed in this way tothe rapid development of the automobile in the UnitedStates. The Vanderbilt Cup races were held annuallyin the United States under the auspices of the Ameri-can Automobile Association.The silver cup, measuring 23 inches high and 20inches in diameter and weighing about 40 pounds, isengra\ed with statistics of the various races?such asdates, winners, types of cars, distances, and times."
"Gift of Mrs. Charles Duryea (ace. 144429, cat. 311338),Division of Transportation, USNM." Statistics on the cup for the races held from 1904 to 1916are an interesting record of the development of the automobile.For instance, the winning speed increased from 52.2 miles perhour in 1904 to 86.99 miles per hour in 1916.PAPER 47: PRESENTATION PIECES 107
There is a wreath around the bran, and the front isdecorated with a period racing car in repousse. Theinscription reads:Challenge Cup Presented by W. K. \'anderbilt Jr. .\meiicanAutomobile Assn. under deed of gift to be raced for yearlyby cars under looo kilos.On the inside of the stem is marked "Tiffany and Co."and "35 pints." * * *Athletic trophies in the collection include eightsilver and silver-plated loving cups awarded for athleticevents to the crew members of various ships of theU.S. Navy.'*'* The sporting events represented includebaseball and football games, canoe and cutter races,and track meets held among the fleet between 1903and 1915.TROWELS FOR CORNERSTONE LAYINGThe National Museum also has a small collection ofsilver trowels used for laying cornerstones of publicbuildings. There is an ivory-handled trowel (fig. 21)with the inscription:This Trowel was used by His E.xcellency Ulysses S. Grant.President of the United States in laying the Corner Stone ofthe Building erected by the Department of Public Parks forthe American Museum of Natural History and presented tohim by the Trustees of the Museum New York June 2?'' 1 874* * *There are also some silver trowels in the BishopMatthew Simpson Collection.''* The earliest of theseis inscribed
:
Presented to Bishop Simpson D.D.L.L.D. at a laying of a stoneof the New Weslcyan Church, Willesdcn, in commemora-tion of the ist Methodist OEcumenical Conference held inLondon, Sept. 10, 1881.This trowel (cat. 38199) bears the English standardmarks with the initials "H. H."On the same trip to London Bishop Simpsonreceived an ivory-handled siher trowel (cat. 38198)inscribed
:
** These trophies were received as a transfer from theDepartment of Defense (ace. 83961 ).
^* Gift of the Misses Simpson (ace. 104604), Division ofPolitical History, USNM.
Presented to Bishop Simpson upon his laying the foundationstone of Clouditte Methodist Church, Dublin, 12th October,1881.Another silver trowel in the same collection isinscribed:Used by Bishop Simpson at the laying of the cornerstone ofthe Wenonah Methodist Episcopal Church, Wenonah,New Jersey, Aug. 15, 1883, and presented to him in lovingremembrance of his presence.This trowel (cat. 38197) is marked "Coin" on the back.The fourth trowel, given to Mrs. .Simpson, is in-scribed as follows:Presented to Mrs. Bishop Matthew Simpson by the LadyManagers in loving remembrance of her laying the corner-stone of the Methodist Episcopal Orphanage, Philadelphia,Oct. 13, 1887.The back of this trowel (cat. 38208) is marked
"Sterling."FIRE TRUMPETSThree fire trumpets in a collection" on loan fromthe Insurance Company of North America are in-scribed as presentation pieces. One of these is 22inches high and has eagle-head handles and an over-all repousse design. This trumpet is engraved:May 1 87 1 Retired from active service by the establish-ment of the Volunteer Fire Department In grateful re-membrance we restore to Samuel G. Simpson his handsomegift presented by him to the Southwark Fire Co. Nov. 7,1865.Another trumpet is engraved with crossed ladders,pikes, and fire helmets against an overall floral design.It is 19}.2 inches high. The inscription reads:Presented to Vigilant Engine Co. #6 of Paterson New Jerseyat the .'\nnual Fair of the Willis Street Baptist Church April1879.The inscription on the third trumpet reads simply:Presented to Captain George W. Erb by the Ladies of St.Rose's Fair.It has an elaborate engine-engraved design and is 21}^inches high.? (Ace. 138182, cat. 311087), Division of Transportation,USNM.
U.S. Government Printing Office: 1965
For sale by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing OfficeWashington, D.C. 20402 Price 30 cents